Report on Book Entitled 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space'

This memorandum, dated December 8, 1953, from the Chief of Operations Staff, O/SI, to the Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence, provides a critical review of the book 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space' by an author identified as Keyhoe. The review was conducted by a consultant to assess potential security violations regarding the CIA's involvement in UFO investigations. The consultant characterizes the book as highly readable but fundamentally flawed, asserting that it is filled with half-truths and inferences that the author knowingly presents as fact. A primary concern of the review is the book's reliance on Albert M. Chop, an Air Force (Reserve) Public Information Officer, to suggest that the Air Force is deliberately concealing positive conclusions about UFOs from the public. The memorandum specifically addresses claims made on page 242 of the book, where the author alleges that the CIA advised the Air Force to debunk reports of flying saucers while secretly continuing the project. The reviewer explicitly denies that the CIA made such recommendations following 'secret high level briefings,' noting that while the CIA panel's recommendations might have been misinterpreted by 'fanatical saucer believers' as 'debunking,' there was never any recommendation to hide information from the public.